Radio Free Tenacity

Hosted by Ergodyne

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Hosted by Al Buczkowski & Allie Thunstrom, Radio Free Tenacity presented by Ergodyne is a podcast utterly obsessed with Making the Workplace a Betterplace. Featuring the latest work gear, stimulating convos with jobsite experts & innovators, & more than its fair share of surprises. Worksite safety has never sounded so good. So get switched on to Radio Free Tenacity, the Voice of Worker Safety.

Listen to episodes

24 recent

August 6, 2026Episode 329 min

023 - Women's PPE: What Distributors Are Seeing in the Field

As demand for women's fit PPE continues to grow, distributors are often the first to see where programs succeed—and where they fall short. In this episode of Radio Free Tenacity, we sit down with Julie Van Horn of White Cap to discuss the realities of sourcing, stocking and supporting women's PPE programs, from inventory challenges and customer expectations to the questions safety managers should be asking before making a purchase. It's a practical look at the category from the people helping connect workers with the gear they need every day. How demand for women's PPE is evolving and which industries and customer groups are driving the conversation. The challenges distributors face when balancing inventory, availability and fit-specific product offerings. What separates successful PPE programs from struggling ones, including common mistakes employers make when evaluating solutions for women workers. Visit www.whitecap.com to find a branch near you.

June 30, 2026Episode 256 min

022 - Optimizing PPE Fit for Women in the Workplace (OH&S Executive Q+A)

Ergodyne Product Director Nate Bohmbach fields questions about PPE fit from OH&S Executive Editor David Kopf and an audience of safety professionals. Originally recorded in March of 2026, this conversation aims to address real-world challenges from safety managers, supervisors and decision-makers responsible for PPE selection and compliance. Why PPE fit for women is directly tied to risk and performance on the job How worker feedback improves PPE programs Practical steps to improve PPE fit across your workforce

June 17, 2026Episode 111 min

021 - What Safety Managers Need to Know About OSHA's Updated Heat NEP

OSHA's updated and extended Heat National Emphasis Program (NEP) gives employers a clearer picture of what inspectors are evaluating when it comes to heat illness prevention. In this episode, Ergodyne's heat stress expert Lexi Hagler breaks down the key updates and practical steps safety managers can take to assess their programs before OSHA does. What changed in OSHA's updated Heat NEP and why it matters for employers? The key elements OSHA expects to see in an effective heat illness prevention program How to use the NEP to identify gaps and strengthen compliance efforts before an inspection or incident occurs

August 12, 2025Episode 211 min

020 - The Rise of Type 2 Helmets: What’s Behind the Shift in Head Protection?

In this episode of Radio Free Tenacity, we sit down with Nate Bohmbach, veteran PPE innovator and member of Ergodyne’s product team, to unpack the growing shift from traditional Type 1 hard hats to Type 2 safety helmets . Sparked by OSHA’s 2023 safety bulletin and their own internal transition, this trend has been gaining traction across high-risk worksites. We break down what’s driving the change, the resistance it’s facing on job sites, and how Ergodyne is designing Type 2 helmets that workers actually want to wear. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The key differences between Type 1 and Type 2 helmets—and why Type 2 offers broader protection. The real-world impact data behind OSHA’s recommendations. How to overcome worker resistance and get buy-in for upgraded head protection.

January 21, 2025Episode 111 min

019 - Understanding the New ANSI/ISEA 100 Bump Cap Standard

Heads up... there's a new bump cap standard and nobody has more insight into its development than Ergodyne President Greg Schrab. In this episode, he'll dive into: Why this new standard matters – Filling gaps in workplace head safety. Key features you need to know – Flexibility, performance and what sets it apart from other standards like Z89 + EN812. Bump caps vs. hard hats – What's the difference anyway? Tune in now for all that and more as Greg explains the latest head protection measure in a way that's simple, practical and well worth your time.

August 7, 2024Episode 36 min

018 - Does Cooling PPE Work Indoors?

Often overlooked compared to outdoor work, indoor jobs can pose a heat stress risk, too. Lack of air conditioning and poor airflow can transform any indoor workspace into a sweatbox, with environments like foundries, refineries, welding shops, and mills being particularly hazardous. In this episode, we'll discuss how heavy-duty PPE, such as welding helmets, coveralls, and hazmat suits, further exacerbate these risks, and explore whether cooling PPE can effectively combat these challenges.

July 12, 2024Episode 25 min

017 - The TACO Method: Life-Saving Heat Relief

When heat stroke hits, irreversible cell damage can set in if the temperature isn't brought down fast — within a 30-minute window. Special guest Lexi Engelbert will demonstrate how one simple body cooling method can save lives.

January 15, 2024Episode 18 min

016 - Understanding the Temperature Ratings of Your Thermal Gear

The truth is, thermal ratings are a performance guide, not gospel—the best direction is available through exhaustive testing and consideration of three major factors. In this episode you'll get to know: What three main factors go into temperature ratings for thermal gear Why temperature ratings are not as straight forward as you'd like How to choose the best thermal gear Featured Guest: Claudia Weber, Queen of Cold Stress Circumspection, Ergodyne

September 26, 2023Episode 63 min

015 - Building A Cold Weather Layering System for Winter Work

In this quick-hitting episode we’ll take you through the essentials of staying warm & productive in cold working environments. Plus, we’ll hit you with a winter work fact that’ll shock you to the core. Ok, maybe that’s being a bit dramatic, but still, we wouldn’t have guessed it ourselves.

June 26, 2023Episode 55 min

014 - New Tool Tethering Solution Hits the Sweet Spot: Simplicity, Safety and Performance

As the pioneer in tool tethering, Ergodyne has a long history of innovation in the category, and the Squids 3745 Tool Grip and Tether Attachment Point might be their most clever solution to date. Nate Bohmbach, Product Director at Ergodyne and Chair of the Dropped Object Prevention Group at ISEA, joins the pod to give you the scoop. In this episode, you'll get to know: The challenges and pain points of tethering screw and nut drivers How end user feedback helped solve those pain points How this new tool tethering solution doesn't just improve safety and simplify tool tethering, but actually improve the usability of the tool Featured Guest: Nate Bohmbach, Chief Drop Cop